A legal clerk has admitted making and owning sickening child pornography pictures after initially denying the charge in court.

Julian Spencer had hundreds of vile images on his laptop computer.

The 55-year-old told Croydon Crown Court last week that a computer virus was responsible and that they made him "throw up".

But during the second day of his trial he changed his plea to guilty to three of 22 charges put to him.

Two of the three were of making indecent images and one of possession.

He was given a two year conditional discharge.

The jury, on instructions from Judge John Tanzer, formally found Spencer not guilty on the remaining 19 counts.

Kevin Baumber, prosecuting, said that after his arrest Spencer was taken to South Norwood police station where he told officers he had never accessed pornography of any kind.

David Barnett, defending, said Spencer was suspended from his job as a managing clerk at a firm of solicitors because of the offences and had since been sacked.

Judge Tanzer told Spencer that only one of the images could be said to be be depicting sexual activity.

"There is no evidence of distribution or of long-term involvement," he added.

Spencer was also ordered to pay £1,000 costs.